Dr. Helen

Commentary on popular culture and society, from a (mostly) psychological perspective

Saturday, November 01, 2008

More on tipping

Okay, so many of you have emailed or commented on my previous post on tipping stating that this is an unfair strategy as it penalizes people who do not believe in wealth redistribution. This comment is a good example:

I am a school teacher who has been delivering pizzas for some extra bread, and will be buying into our owner's next store as an investor.

Also I deliver to a lower middle class/working class neighborhood as well. The other night at a house, saw a Ford F-150 in the driveway (and no it did not appear to be Dad's work truck) and a Toyota Camry. Nice Hispanic lady answered the door, married, three kids and what do I see in their living room? A 60 inch tv! Hmmm I work two jobs and can't afford a 60 inch tv. Bet they can't afford to buy their kids health care huh?

Of our eleven pizza drivers, I know of no one who is voting for Obama, except for one spaced out kid who is a total idiot (and probably isn't registered anyway). And we have drivers all over the spectrum from "older guys (I am 43)" to young college age kids.

Please don't take it out on us.

There is no way I could. In the space of the past 24 hours, I have been out to eat three times and left even bigger tips than I usually do. I am watching people work hard and I know I cannot withhold money to local people in Tennessee that are so industrious. Perhaps in blue cities or where it is clearer that people believe in redistributing wealth, it would be easier. Another thought is that if as many of the servers and pizza delivery people are for McCain as commenters are saying, he must be doing pretty well.

Should you tip less in an Obama Administration?

Commenter gklyon in the previous post on PJTV makes a point in relation to going John Galt:

There is another aspect of pulling a Galt if the rich quit spending. Really scale back. People spend money more efficiently than the government. Thus people spending create more jobs.

The rich also employ people either directly as servants - maids, nannies, gardeners. These employees help the rich go out and produce more. If the rich scale back they will not need these people. And tipping, instead of tipping your server, tell her/him that you are going to redistribute his tip to the homeless guy outside the restaurant. If the rich reduce spending it will ripple through the economy and the people that supported Obama will be out of jobs.

Despite this post, I often tip generously both because I have been a waitress and because I think it is important to reward people who work. However, if Obama gets in (and it is still an if), perhaps tipping less or not at all would be a good way to save money as a way of "going John Galt." Yet, is it fair to the person who is stiffed? What about a compromise, just tipping less? What do you think?

UPDATE: I've been thinking. If Obama is elected, maybe in lieu of a tip I should leave a note like the following:

HOPE AND CHANGE FOR AMERICA: Spreading the Wealth Around.

In lieu of a tip, $_____ has been donated to the Re-Elect Obama for President Campaign. Thank you for supporting the man and the movement that are bringing America together!

If enough people leave notes like this, I'm sure it will galvanize waitpeople everywhere in support of The One!

UPDATE II: As a commenter said, this post really seems to have hit a nerve. I am guessing that a number of lefty types are upset that their livelihood may be threatened. In Rules for Radicals Saul Alinsky asks, "Does this particular end justify this particular means?" Perhaps for those of us who are right-leaning, the answer is "yes," perhaps it is "no," but it certainly worth exploring.